Angels Trade Josh Hamilton. Free at Last

UPDATE NO. 2, APRIL 27, 1:41 P.M.: The Angels announced today that the short Josh Hamilton era with the team is over.

From Halos GM Jerry Dipoto:

Over the course of the last few weeks, it became clear that Josh wanted to return to Texas. We were able to complete a trade that in the end is the right decision for everyone involved.

Ken Rosenthal cites a Rangers source who says the team's obligation to Hamilton, who was owed $83 million from Anaheim over the next three years, is less than $7 million over that time span. He can opt out after two years, at which time the Angels will be on the hook for the rest, the Fox Sports reporter adds.

UPDATE NO. 1, APRIL 24, 5:28 P.M.: Let's give The Game of Life (Josh Hamilton Edition) Ham-o-wheel a spin again ...

Yikes, it didn't land on a number but the letter T ... for Texas. And trade.

T.Several sources are reporting that a trade between the Angels and Texas for Hamilton is close.

Stay tuned ...

ORIGINAL POST, APRIL 22, 6:31 A.M.: It's time to play that board game that's sweeping the baseball world, The Game of Life (Josh Hamilton Edition).

Give the Ham-o-wheel a spin ...

7. KATIE HAMILTON DIVORCE: We Orange County media types have nothing on The Dallas Morning News, which has been all over Angels outfielder and veteran addict Josh Hamilton's many ups and downs even after fans pushed him out of Texas and over to Anaheim. The paper reports that around the time the public learned of Hamilton's latest relapse with drink and blow, he was filing for divorce in in Tarrant County, Texas, from his wife Katie, who'd by then joined The Real Housewives of Orange County cast. "Hamilton outlined 34 requests in the petition. Among the requests: prohibit her from using the Maserati and 1972 Chevrolet Blazer in his possession; prohibit her from 'hiding' the children from him; prohibit her from making disparaging remarks against him or his family; prohibit someone who has an intimate relationship with her from staying in the same home as the children overnight," the News reports. But Katie, who claims to have been "blindsided," is not going down without a fight--and also denying reports gurgling up in the gossip sheets that she cheated on her husband. You'll recall the devout Christians had said God wanted them to come to the Halos.

Spin again ...

4: ANAHEIM ANGELS DIVORCE: Owner Arte Moreno had said he did not know if Hamilton, who did not report to spring training because of shoulder surgery, would ever wear an Angels uniform again. In Moreno's mind, the admission that Hamilton had deviated from his drug treatment regimen should nullify the $83 million he is still owed. But now the Los Angeles Times reports that Anaheim may bring the 33-year-old slugger back. "Under the tentative plan, Hamilton would report to the Angels' Arizona training complex for two to three weeks of work with the team's extended spring program. He would then proceed to a minor league rehabilitation assignment and could rejoin the Angels thereafter," Bill Shaikin writes. "Hamilton is expected to report to Arizona 'sooner rather than later,' according to a person familiar with the plan but unwilling to discuss it publicly until the Angels announce it. ... The plan does not guarantee that Hamilton plays again for the Angels, but at the least it buys time for owner Arte Moreno. If Hamilton appears sound enough that his presence on the roster could give the Angels their best chance to win, the players might be discouraged if Moreno lets Hamilton go."

Kick it ...

Anyone have a spare $16.5 million in their couch cushions?

All real estate photos courtesy of MLS

1. MOVIN' ON DOWN: The ink-stained wretches in J.R. Ewingland are back with the deets on the Newport Coast pad the Hamiltons have put on the market for a cool $16.5 million. The listing for the 10,850-square-foot home with six bedrooms and 8.5 bathrooms includes: Positioned at the highest point in Crystal Cove overlooking ocean; Main-level features are a guest suite, office and parlor room;

5. HELLO, TEXAS?Morning News columnist Tim Cowlishaw opines that the Rangers should trade for Hamilton, arguing it would kickstart the final part of his career, allow the Angels to unload an underwhelming one-time superstar and possibly provide some punch to a powerless Texas outfield. "And he would at least provide entertainment," The Cow crows. "That's more than you can expect from most of this current Rangers outfield. Judging by attendance figures, a lot of you already aren't expecting much." The idea delights a "Tom S." in the comments section: "As an Angel fan, I hope you trade for him. Heck I will even throw in toaster oven myself as part of the deal."

Matt Coker has been engaging, enraging and entertaining readers of newspapers, magazines and websites for decades. He spent the first 13 years of his career in journalism at daily newspapers before "graduating" to OC Weekly in 1995 as the paper's first calendar editor. He has contributed as a freelance editor and writer to several publications and been the subject of or featured in several reports online, in print and on the radio and television. One of countless times he returned to his Costa Mesa, CA, home with a bounty of awards from a journalism competition, his wife told him to take out the trash.